Elements of a Short Story

Plot Climax ExpositionResolution Rising ActionFalling Action

Plot Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

Presentation of essential information and conflict

Events that lead up to the climax; the conflict builds

The turning point; the most important part of the plot

Events leading to resolution

Resolution- point where the conflict is solved and loose ends are tied up

Setting Geographical Location Time Period Details

Geographical Location In Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the story takes place in the country of France.

Time Period Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame was set in the early 1800’s

Location Details In Disney’s The Little Mermaid, some parts of the story take place in an underwater grotto filled with human artifacts and hidden treasures.

Characterization Direct Characterization Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization What the author actually comes right out and tells you about the character. “The boy was very sneaky” “The old woman was frail and weak”

Indirect Characterization Information that the reader must infer from what the character says, does, and thinks The beady-eyed boy shot his hand across the desk when the girl wasn’t looking and stole her homework

Point of View 1 st person observer 1 st person main character 3 rd person limited 3 rd person omniscient

1 st Person Observer The person telling the story is not a character in the story, but still uses the pronoun “I”

1 st Person Main Character The person telling the story is a main character in the story

3 rd Person Limited The narrator uses the 3rd person pronouns “he,” “she,” and “they.” A limited narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of only one or a few of the characters in the story

3 rd Person Omniscient The narrator uses the 3 rd person pronouns “he,” “she,” and “they.” An omniscient narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story.

Imagery Imagery is language that appeals to the senses. This is not limited to just your sense of sight; it also includes hearing, smell, touch and taste.

Figurative Language Symbolism- A symbol is something that stands for something other than itself Metaphor- a comparison that does not use like or as Simile-a comparison that uses like or as Personification- giving human qualities to a non-human object

Symbolism We use symbols in our everyday lives

Some others, just for fun

Irony Dramatic Irony- when the audience knows something that the characters do not Situational Irony- when the outcome of a situation is different than expected Verbal Irony- when what is said is different than what is meant (sarcasm)

The message that the author is trying to convey